A combination of technical excellence and human contact – the partnership between Rosenbauer France and YORK by MOTOREX is a perfect example of close, reliable and practical industrial collaboration. We take a look at the close relationship that has developed.
When it comes to fire-fighting vehicles, nothing can be left to chance – every component and every technical fluid must meet the most stringent standards. At Rosenbauer France, this quality standard is complemented by another key factor: the human aspect of the business relationship. This is particularly evident in the partnership with YORK by MOTOREX, a medium-sized French company with expertise in technical lubricants. Together, YORK and Rosenbauer France have developed a partnership based on trust, closeness and operational excellence.
The story begins in early 2023: Rosenbauer France, which has just set up a new site in Meyzieu near Lyon, is in the process of establishing a new supplier network for the maintenance of its vehicles. Jérôme Tardy, Technical Sales Consultant at YORK, sees the opportunity and introduces himself to the Rosenbauer France team. “When we founded the branch in Meyzieu, we needed a whole new set of suppliers, and this is never easy,” explains Franck Bellone, Managing Director of Rosenbauer France. “In YORK, we have found an outstanding partner that provides us with excellent support.” This initial contact quickly develops into a close and trusting relationship. YORK not only supplies the right products, but also offers precise technical support tailored to the specific requirements of the vehicles – including, in particular, the high-performance Panther models for use at airports.
Rosenbauer develops and maintains vehicles that have to withstand extreme stress: sharp acceleration, heavy braking, high temperatures, humidity, chemicals – the lubricants used must deliver optimum protection and be completely stable. No errors can be tolerated. “We need lubricants of the highest quality. Our partner needs to understand our requirements, provide us with expert advice and guarantee reliable delivery – our specifications are extremely demanding,” explains Franck Bellone. YORK meets these expectations through a combination of industrial know-how and flexible logistics.
One aspect that Rosenbauer France particularly appreciates is YORK’s ability to react quickly to urgent situations. In the event of malfunctions or unplanned maintenance, every minute counts – emergency vehicles need to be available again immediately. Jérôme Tardy plays a key role here. As the sole point of contact, he coordinates the entire process: identifying requirements, testing product suitability, sending technical data sheets and arranging approval by Rosenbauer France. Dimitri Durand, Warehouse Manager at Rosenbauer France, knows that he can rely on YORK – especially if a vehicle suddenly breaks down and emergency maintenance is required. YORK’s responsiveness is ensured by its finelytuned organisation: a powerful CRM system, an internal supply chain, experienced drivers and a technical team who are always ready to get to work. Everything is geared towards maximum customer satisfaction.
In addition to advice and fast delivery, YORK also offers in-house oil analyses. The teams at Rosenbauer France take samples directly from the vehicles and these are then analysed in YORK’s in-house laboratory for possible contamination or premature signs of wear. These analyses detect invisible problems such as water content or metal particles and are essential for preventive maintenance and the longevity of the systems. “One analysis identified unusually high levels of metal content. This finding allowed us to react in good time and inform Rosenbauer France before a component was damaged,” recalls Jérôme Tardy.
For Rosenbauer France, it is a great advantage to have a contact person who is committed, listens and really understands their requirements. “In a very technical world, real contact and having a go-to person makes all the difference,” emphasises Franck Bellone. “YORK knows our equipment and is in tune with our way of thinking, which is worth its weight in gold.” This proximity is reflected in regular conversations, the high availability of Jérôme Tardy as the main contact person – and through the entire team: Valérie Legouhy (Area Manager), Olivier Duperriez (Technical Director), Laurent Querry (Application Manager), Emilie Auribault (Laboratory Manager), the responsible sales assistant and the drivers.
A further strength of YORK is its forward-looking approach. When new vehicle models are brought out, Jérôme Tardy methodically requests all the lubrication plans in order to identify possible changes to specifications early on. He then proposes suitable solutions with assistance from the technical team and the lab. This proactive approach prevents misuse, ensures product suitability and gives Rosenbauer France the necessary confidence for future developments.
YORK is known for being a flexible and responsive French lubricant specialist that delivers personal service – and has the MOTOREX Group behind it. The cooperation between Rosenbauer and the MOTOREX Group goes back a long way: Rosenbauer has been using INDUSTRIAL LINE coolants for mechanical processing at its main site in Austria for many years. Rosenbauer France enjoys the agility of a local partner combined with the stability of a global corporation. YORK can quickly mobilise resources and maintain close customer contact at all times. In an industry that is becoming increasingly automated and digitalised, the partnership between YORK and Rosenbauer France is a reminder of a simple truth: real performance is also based on the quality of human relationships.
This year, YORK is looking back on a successful 35 years in business. At
the same time, the site is celebrating another special anniversary: YORK
has been part of the international MOTOREX Group for ten years now.
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